人生一定要有的八個朋友:
推手(Builder)、
支柱(Champion)、
同好(Collaborator)、
夥伴(Companion)、
中介(Connector)、
開心果(Energizer)、
開路者(Mind Opener)、
導師(Navigator)。
chutze@bostonorange.com
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Free arts & crafts workshops begin July 9 in Boston Parks
The Boston Parks and Recreation Department’s annual ParkARTS program is pleased to announce the return of free Arts & Crafts Workshops for children. From West Roxbury to East Boston, kids ages three to ten can enjoy a wide variety of arts and crafts activities led by local artists at the workshops held from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.
Participation is free and all materials are provided. All children must be accompanied by an
adult. Groups of eight or more must pre-register by emailing parks@boston.gov or by calling the Parks Department at (617) 961-3082.
The Marionette Puppet Show series will also return in July and August during various children’s workshops. See Boston’s parks come alive with Rosalita’s Puppets featuring marionettes made by professional actor-puppeteer Charlotte Anne Dore. Each puppet show will begin at 11:00 a.m. See the schedule below for details.
Arts and Crafts Workshops dates and locations are as follows, 10 a.m. to 12 noon:
Tuesdays, July 9, 16, & 23
Marcella Playground, Roxbury
Harambee Park, Dorchester
Wednesdays, July 10, 17, & 24
Iacono Playground, Hyde Park
Hynes Field, West Roxbury
Thursdays, July 11, 18, & 25
Fallon Field, Roslindale
Walker Playground, Mattapan
Friday, July 12, 19, & 26
Mozart Street Playground, Jamaica Plain
Joyce Playground, Brighton
Tuesdays, July 30, August 6, & 13
LoPresti Park, East Boston
Langone Park//Puopolo Playground, North End
Wednesdays, July 31, August 7 & 14
Myrtle Street Playground, Beacon Hill Gertrude Howes Playground, Roxbury
Thursdays, August 1, 8, & 15
Medal of Honor Park, South Boston
Ringgold Park, South End
Friday, August 2, 9, & 16
Peter Looney Park, Charlestown
Ryan Playground, Dorchester
Rosalita’s Puppets Marionette Performances are at 11 a.m. Dates and locations are as
follows:
Thursday, July 11: Walker Playground, Mattapan
Friday, July 12: Joyce Playground, Brighton
Friday, July 18: Fallon Field, Roslindale
Friday, July 19: Mozart Street Playground, Jamaica Plain
Thursday, August 8: Ringgold Park, South End
Friday, August 9: Peter Looney Park, Charlestown
For more information and updates on possible weather cancellations, please contact the Boston
Parks and Recreation Department at (617) 635-4505, on our social channels @bostonparksdept
Healey-Driscoll
Administration Kicks Off 10th Year of the Summer Nights Program at Ryan
Playground in Mattapan
DCR Celebrates a Decade of
the Program, Launching the Largest Year Yet with 100 Partners Supporting Youth
Engagement across Massachusetts
BOSTON – As part of an ongoing effort to provide safe and fun recreational opportunities to young people across the state, the Healey-Driscoll Administration today celebrated the 10th year of the annual Summer Nights Program. Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Commissioner Brian Arrigo kicked off the department’s successful program at the Ryan Playground in Mattapan alongside Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and local leaders and community organizations. During July and August, the state’s Summer Nights Program offers a variety of activities aimed at fostering community engagement and personal development to young people across Massachusetts.
“Playing sports kept me safe, healthy, and disciplined when I was growing up, and I want every young person in Massachusetts to have that opportunity. For 10 years, the Summer Nights Program has provided critical programming to our young people every summer, keeping them engaged and active while schools are closed. This year, we’re proud to expand the program to make an even bigger impact,”said Governor Maura Healey. “Summer Nights is more than just recreational activities – our partners foster a sense of belonging and personal growth for young people, paving the way to a brighter future for all.”
“We're thrilled to see the Summer Nights Program thrive in its 10th year, reaching more young people than ever,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “This achievement highlights our belief in community-based initiatives that nurture leadership, creativity, and healthy lifestyles through sports, arts, and mentorship, empowering youth to reach their full potential
and make positive contributions to society.”
The Summer Nights Program provides free recreational and educational opportunities for young people, ages 13 to 21, in urban areas across the state. Since beginning with four initial partners, the program has grown significantly, serving nearly 20,000 young participants, annually. This year, for its 10th anniversary, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has expanded
the program to its largest year yet with a budget of $3 million, $2.6 million directly benefitting partners and additional funds allocated for police details, equipment, and marketing. This funding will support 100 organizations including municipalities, community groups, and public safety agencies that will provide free activities including sports, arts and crafts, music, and
mentoring and life skills workshops at approximately 125 locations across the state.
“Summer Nights provides an opportunity for our young people to connect with nature and cultivate their roles as the next generation of stewards of the environment,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “This programming is critical in urban areas, where young people have fewer chances to explore nature. By encouraging outdoor
exploration and engagement through these programs, we are able to foster a sense of responsibility and connection to creating a sustainable future for generations to come.”
“The Summer Nights program exemplifies our commitment to providing families and children across Massachusetts with safe, inclusive and supportive spaces,”said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “One of our top priorities at DCR is ensuring young people have access to welcoming and engaging outdoor recreational programming regardless of their financial
ability. Through this diverse array of enriching and educational activities, we hope to empower young people and foster a sense of stewardship and leadership within their communities.”
“Summer in Boston is a truly special time for our residents, families and communities across every neighborhood,” said Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. For ten years, the state's Summer Nights Program has provided young people and families with a range of opportunities to stay active, build community and grow in new ways. With this expanded program, we are thrilled to partner with the Healey-Driscoll administration to serve even more young people in Boston and across the state."
This year, Summer Nights partners will provide programming in: Boston (Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan, Roslindale, Hyde Park, East Boston, South Boston), Attleboro, Bridgewater, Brockton, Chelsea, Chicopee, Easthampton, Everett, Fitchburg, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Methuen, Milton, New Bedford, Norwood, Pittsfield, Quincy, Revere, Salem,
Somerville, Springfield, Stoughton, Taunton, Westfield, and Worcester. Norwood, Everett, Revere, Pittsfield, Somerville, Attleboro, Bridgewater, Westfield, Chicopee and Easthampton are new to the program this year.
“Summer Nights programming has been a game-changer to the near thousands of underserved families throughout the Commonwealth,” said Leroy Peoples Jr., Founder and President, The PIM Project, Inc. “In Boston, PIM hosts a fun, friendly and safe environment for children and families, where DCR, through Summer Nights, provides the much needed and necessary support. Without Summer Nights, it would be near impossible for us to provide PIM programming.” “We are excited to experience the magic of our tenth summer serving the children and families of our community in partnership with DCR Summer Nights, where every sunset brings a new adventure and every gathering sparks joy, connection and unforgettable summer memories,” said Deronne Greaves, Co-founder of Score4More. “Effective programs like Summer Nights continue to improve the cultural diversity and landscape in Mattapan and throughout the Commonwealth,” said Alex Seymour, CEO of Youth in Crisis.
Programming will continue through late August, featuring a wide range of activities such as basketball, volleyball, yoga, dance, martial arts, flag football, corn-hole, fishing, ping-pong, cardio boxing, swimming, camping, rowing, kayaking, cooking, painting, Zumba, dodgeball, tennis, and nature exploration. Programming also includes sessions on leadership skill-building, health and wellness, poetry, academic tutoring, storytelling, animation, music,
media production, and career and college readiness programs. Additionally, three providers will provide accessible and adaptive programs, including theater, swimming, and kayaking. Every Summer Nights participant and their families also receive a complimentary ferry pass to the Boston Harbor Islands through Boston Harbor Now.
For a full list of programming, please visit DCR’s Summer Nights Program webpage. DCR will hold additional events celebrating the 10-year anniversary this summer.
State Public Health Officials Announce Season’s First EEE-Positive Mosquito Samples
Residents urged to use bug spray when outdoors
BOSTON (July 3, 2024) – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced that Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus has been detected in mosquitoes in Massachusetts for the first time this year. The presence of EEE was confirmed in mosquito samples collected on June 30 in the town of Carver in Plymouth County. No human or animal cases of EEE have been detected so far this year.
“The last EEE outbreak cycle in Massachusetts occurred in 2019-2020 and since then, there have been no human cases of EEE reported in the state,” said Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “Today’s finding alerts us to the presence of EEE in Massachusetts this year. Combined with yesterday’s announcement of West Nile virus in mosquitoes in Massachusetts, we are asking everyone to take the necessary precautions to prevent mosquito bites. We recommend that people use mosquito repellent when they are spending time outdoors so they can celebrate the July 4th holiday and enjoy the rest of the summer without being bitten.”
EEE is a rare but serious and potentially fatal disease that can affect people of all ages. EEE is generally spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. There were 12 human cases of EEE in Massachusetts in 2019 with six deaths; in 2020, there were five human cases and one death. There were no human cases of EEE in Massachusetts in 2021, 2022 or 2023.
“EEE activity in Massachusetts tends to occur in outbreak cycles,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine M. Brown. “When EEE is found in mosquitoes like this at the start of the season, the risk may increase throughout the rest of the summer. We rely on our mosquito surveillance program to monitor for the presence of virus to let people know when and where the risk is occurring.”
Avoid Mosquito Bites
Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors. Use a repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient (DEET (N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus (p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD) or IR3535) according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.
Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during the evening or early morning in areas of high risk.
Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Wearing long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
Mosquito-Proof Your Home
Drain Standing Water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools and change the water in birdbaths frequently.
Install or Repair Screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly fitting screens on all your windows and doors.
Protect Your Animals
Animal owners should reduce potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers such as buckets, tires, and wading pools – especially after heavy rains. Water troughs provide excellent mosquito breeding habitats and should be flushed out at least once a week during the summer months to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas. Horse owners should keep horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. Owners should also speak with their veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals and vaccinations to prevent WNV and EEE. If an animal is suspected of having WNV or EEE, owners are required to report to the Department of Agricultural Resources, Division of Animal Health by calling 617-626-1795, and to the Department of Public Health by calling 617-983-6800.
More information, including all WNV and EEE positive results, can be found on the Arbovirus Surveillance Information web page at Mosquito-borne Diseases | Mass.gov, which is updated daily,or by calling the DPH Division of Epidemiology at 617-983-6800.